JISL to build micro-irrigation project in Karnataka

Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd (JISL) would build an integrated micro-irrigation project in Karnataka's Mandya district, a top official of the farm equipment maker said on Friday.

"The Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Ltd has issued the work order to build the Rs 569 crore project for irrigating 25,317 acres of farmlands in 51 villages of Malavalli local body," said JISL Managing Director Anil Jain in a statement here.

"The project will lift and ferry water from the Cauvery river to farmlands in a network of pipes, which prevent evaporation and percolation," he said.

The project will use 1.97 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of the 2.29 tmcft water available to cultivate Kharif and Rabi crops in a year and double farmers' income by enabling them to grow more semi-arid crops such as ragi (millet), pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and flowers in their irrigated lands.

The project will also fill up 12 tanks in the command area for supplying drinking water to farmers and their cattle and help in recharging the ground water.

"The project is expected to benefit 15,000 farmers and meet the drinking water needs of 51 villages in the region," added the statement.

The city-based 35-year-old company and its subsidiaries manufacture micro irrigation systems, PVC and HDPE pipes, plastic sheets and other agriculture inputs in 30 plants across the country and overseas.

The company employs about 10,500 people to provide solutions in agriculture, piping and farm infrastructure. It posted $1 billion (Rs.6,468 crore) revenue in the last fiscal.

--IANS

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